Loving the brotherhood

BethanySMC - Friday, 14 September 2012 01:28

…Love the brotherhood. 1-Peter 2:17

In the world and culture where people are trying to be as independent as possible, free from any obligation and accountability; with everyone minding their own business, the true meaning of brotherhood has virtually diminished. Freedom and a lack of clear purpose, play a huge part in weakening the bonds that God intended for his children to have with one another.

Loving, helping, praying, edifying, admonishing, reproving are just a few things that must take place in a Christian brotherhood. We see from the scriptures that faith relationships should make a stronger bond than flesh relationships. God wants to see his children together united in love that surpasses love for blood relatives and things on the earth. To love your brothers in faith – is one of the clearest commandments in the New Testament. Love for the brotherhood should compel us to contribute all we can to achieve our common goal; this love should motivate us for sacrifices and service expecting nothing in return. If need be, we should be willing to put our lives and all that we have on the line for another, to suffer and rejoice together. Moses, Esther, Paul and many other Bible characters were willing to die for their people. How much more should we, for those whom God has bought with his own blood? In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. 1Jn.3:10

Many times we are tempted to just focus on our personal relationship with God, forgetting our brother right next to us. None of us should feel indifferent, isolated. If we go to heaven – we go together and let us help each other along the way. Interaction and fellowship with one another should never be substituted or neglected. In Biblical brotherhood we are one body and we need each other. Our Love toward one another speaks a lot about our walk with God. In 1Jn.3:14 we read: We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.

It is good to stop and examine ourselves. What do we do today that speaks and proves our love for others? Am I really attached to the body and do my part in the service or is my name just listed among its members? Do I help and encourage other to press toward the goal or do I push in my own direction?